AZE.US
Russia has recalled its ambassador from Armenia, Sergey Kopyrkin, to Moscow for consultations amid growing tensions over Yerevan’s push toward closer ties with the European Union.
In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the move was linked to “steps by the Armenian leadership toward rapprochement with the European Union that are harming cooperation within the EAEU.”
The decision marks a further escalation in frictions between Moscow and Yerevan, as Armenia continues its European integration track while formally remaining a member of the Eurasian Economic Union.
The move came a day after the EAEU summit in Astana, where Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan urged Armenia to hold a referendum as soon as possible on choosing between the EU and the EAEU.
A joint statement by the four member states said a report would be presented in December at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on the possible consequences of suspending the EAEU treaty in relation to Armenia.
According to the statement, the document is being prepared because of what the bloc sees as serious risks to the economic security of member states arising from Armenia’s intention to move toward EU membership.
Speaking after the summit in Astana, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that if Armenia leaves the EAEU, it would lose access to the bloc’s free trade zone, face higher railway tariffs and tougher requirements for road carriers.
Putin also said higher energy prices alone could cost Armenia at least 14 percent of its GDP.
At the same time, he said Armenia’s eventual decision on its place in the EAEU should not damage humanitarian and political ties with Russia, arguing that the dispute concerns “purely economic matters.”
Moscow has increasingly raised the issue of Armenia’s EAEU membership in recent months as Yerevan deepens its contacts with the European Union. Putin has previously said Armenia should decide sooner rather than later between the EU and the EAEU, suggesting that an early decision could allow for what he called a “soft and intelligent divorce.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has also warned that Armenia will face increasing problems inside the EAEU as it moves closer to the EU, because the norms adopted by Yerevan could eventually come into conflict with the rules of the Eurasian bloc.
Armenian officials, however, insist that leaving the EAEU is not currently on the agenda. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Yerevan does not intend to harm Moscow, but will not place Russian interests above Armenian ones.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has also said Yerevan is not interested in breaking political, economic or other ties with Russia and will work to preserve what he called “natural relations” with Moscow.
Armenia’s formal European integration process began in spring 2024. The immediate trigger was a draft law initiated by the Platform of Democratic Forces. After more than 50,000 signatures were collected in support of the initiative, it was sent to parliament, where it passed its final reading on March 26. It was later signed into law by President Vahagn Khachaturyan.
The latest Russian move suggests that the dispute is no longer limited to rhetoric and is turning into an open political and economic confrontation over Armenia’s long-term geopolitical direction.
AZE.US